An internship is a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skill development in a professional setting. Engaging in an internship offers students the chance to build valuable connections in their prospective career fields while providing employers the opportunity to mentor and assess emerging talent.

An internship is a professional learning experience that is outside of a specific academic program or course of study. These internships focus on providing practical, hands-on experience in various industries and job roles, allowing participants to develop essential skills, explore potential career paths, and network with professionals. These are non-credit bearing experiences that can be paid or unpaid.

See important information on eligibility if you are studying in the US on an F-1 visa.

  • My time with MITC really opened my eyes with how Maine’s international & domestic footprint is expanding. Having the opportunity to work with more marketing-related projects opened an area that I am now pursuing – engagement. I have recently accepted a role as a Recruitment & Engagement Manager with The Roux Institute at Northeastern University!
    Sophia Di Risi
    Interned at Maine International Trade Center
  • The opportunity to use modern and technical engineering equipment that is unavailable at USM’s laboratories. This internship allowed me to expand my professional network and transform what sometimes seemed like abstract academic knowledge into tangible engineering experiences.
    Dan Noel
    Interned at Elmet Technologies
  • Interning at IDEXX has opened my eyes to alternative fields in the science world. I have always set my eyes on being in the medical field however, since starting at IDEXX and enjoying my time there, I have been exposed to various careers that I could pursue as a Human Biology major.
    Bonge Lako
    Interned at IDEXX Biotech Water R&D Lab

Internship FAQ

An internship can be a fantastic opportunity to develop your technical and transferable skills in a professional environment, build your resume, develop professional connections, and even get a job offer. Students who complete an internship receive more job offers than those who do not. Of 2022 graduates, more than 46% of students who completed an internship received a job offer upon graduation.

As you explore your internship opportunities, keep in mind that many internships have requirements and may vary in academic credit offered. Be sure to contact your academic department for these details.

Academic Internships are normally part of an educational program (your major) and involve academic credit; these can also be paid or unpaid experiences. An academic internship includes a learning plan that is structured into the internship, including objectives, reflection and assessment. The experience balances the goals of the student intern with the work the business or other organization needs.

At USM, academic internship courses are run through departments. To learn more about your department’s internship course registration process and requirements, connect with your faculty advisor! Please note that many internship courses require you to have secured your own internship prior to registering for the course.

A Career Advisor can provide guidance on searching for internships in your field of study and help you navigate the application process.

Please note, if you are interested in landing an internship you will want to begin the process one to two semesters before you aim to start your internship.

Make an Appointment with a Career Advisor!

A not-for-credit internship is an internship that does not offer academic credit towards a degree or academic program. Students participate in these internships to gain practical experience, build their resumes, or explore career interests without the internship counting towards their formal academic requirements. Instead of being part of a curriculum, these internships often focus solely on hands-on learning and professional development.

A Career Advisor can provide guidance on searching for internships in your field of study and help you navigate the application process.

Please note, if you are interested in landing an internship you will want to begin the process one to two semesters before you aim to start your internship.

Make an Appointment with a Career Advisor!
  • 1:1 Career Advising
  • Resume and Cover Letter Development
  • Internship Search Resources
  • Career Exploration
  • Interview Preparation
  • Networking
  • And MORE!

Check out the Career Resources page to find out how we can help you on your journey!

The Internship Process

Read about what your major requires!

  • IF an internship is required for your major, start with a conversation with your faculty advisor and schedule an appointment with a Peer Career Guide to work on your resume & cover letter.
  • IF NOT, a career advisor can help you start your search. A Career Advisor can provide guidance on searching for internships in your field of study and help you navigate the application process, which typically begins one to two semesters before you aim to start your internship.
Make an Appointment with a Career Advisor or Peer Career Guide!

Great! For help working on your resume and cover letter, you can meet with a Peer Career Guide.

Make an Appointment with a Peer Career Guide!

You can also check out all of the ways the Career & Employment Hub can help you throughout the process here!

  • Start working with your Faculty Advisor or Career Advisor two semesters prior to the summer, fall or spring you’d like to do your internship.
    • Use that time to identify your major’s requirements, decide whether you’d like to earn academic credit for the internship (and register for the course), and identify your primary goal (Build skills, Academic Credit, Gain experience, Explore major or career options, Earn money)
  • Begin to look for internships via the Career Exploration Internship Program, Job Shadow Day, USM Job & Internship Board, Indeed, LinkedIn, faculty suggestions, Job & Internship Fairs, Networking Dinner, and more. 

With these timelines in mind, be prepared to apply the semester ahead of applications opening.

  • Summer Internships: applications open late winter into early spring
  • Fall/Academic Year Internship: applications open late spring into early summer
  • Spring Internship: applications open late summer into early fall

Internship applications often require a resume and cover letter. You can find guides and more under the Resumes, Cover Letters & References section of our Career Resources page!

For resume and cover letter assistance, make an appointment with a Peer Career Guide.

Make an Appointment with a Peer Career Guide!

Interviewing for a job is an exciting component of the career planning process. This is a time for you to get to know the employer, the company, and the environment. It is also an opportunity for the employer to understand what skills, abilities, and qualifications you would bring to the position.

Find out more under the Interviewing section of our Career Resources page! Practice your interview skills with a Career Advisor, set up a Mock Interview today!

Make an Appointment with a Career Advisor!

Employers post internships on USM’s Job board. Current students can log in to the system by first logging in to the USM MyCampus Portal and then clicking the green “Job Board” icon on the upper left in the “launchpad.” You can also view recent postings on the USM Job Board here.

PathwaystoScience.org is a great resource for students interested in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) and research based internships.

Interested in finding out what other USM students had to say about their internship experiences? Check out the Internship Showcase Student Panels recordings on our YouTube channel!

Researching a company can help you prepare for an internship. Doing a little research about a company before an interview or job fair can help you stand out from the crowd of other applicants, and give you insights into the organizational culture and industry operating conditions.  

Career Exploration Internship Program with a mountain range background

Career Exploration Internship Program

The Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP) is a paid program hosted by the Career & Employment Hub. These internships allow students to directly apply their classroom learning and build on-the-job skills in a professional setting. University of Southern Maine student interns gain valuable workplace experience and make connections in their field.

Learn more about CEIP

Picture of the front of the McGoldrick Center building.

Employer Advisory Board Internship Programs

Check out the timeline for internship programs hosted at the organizations featured on our Employer Advisory Board.

View EAB Internship Programs